The Tan Factor comes to town

If you’ve been enviously ogling the tanned and toned limbs of this year's X-Factor stars, then it’s time to celebrate, as their sumptuously sun-kissed look is no longer out of your reach.

Vita Liberata, the official tan of the 2010 competition, is being launched in the beauty departments of House of Fraser, Debenhams and Selfridges in the coming months, allowing you to stay beautifully bronzed throughout the winter party season. Contestants and judges alike have been sporting different shades from the range, which contain varying levels of tanning activator DHA in order to suit different skin tones, and have been diligently using three complementary Vita Liberata skincare products before and after tanning to keep their glow going.

There are seven different tanning lotions available and three different spray tan options: Hawaiian (favoured by fair skinned Erin O’Connor and used on contestant Rebecca Ferguson before Saturday’s show), Ecuador (the most popular shade, frequently used by Kelly Brook) and Brazil (a more intense colour designed to give warmth to naturally olive and darker toned skins).

As an added bonus, Vita Liberata has been specially formulated with DHA obtained from organic sugar cane which has been blended with silk protein extracts, pomegranate and seaweed, making it totally odourless. No more living tanned life in a stale biscuit haze! It’ll also leave you skin silky smooth and is more likely to fade evenly as it doesn’t contain any alcohol, parabens or perfume- perfect for those with sensitive skin that tends to dry out in the days after tanning.

If you are blessed with rich, dark skin, Vita Liberata also makes a 24 carat wash off tint that can be a lifesaver during less sun-drenched months. Simon Cowell’s right-hand woman Sinitta swears by the stuff, saying that it gives her skin ‘a lovely golden glow’ and banishes all traces of grey undertones.

Look out for the range in stores soon and check out our listed venues to find out where you can be spritzed with liquid sunshine in the meantime.

Alison is a freelance journalist, blogger and life-long Londoner.
A subject matter magpie and self-confessed make up junkie, if it's new, a little bit different and promises great things, she'll be onto it in a flash.